Rotary in-mold labeling

ABSTRACT

An in-mold labeler ( 24 ) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine ( 22 ) includes a dispensing assembly ( 38 ) having a dispensing wheel ( 42 ) that is rotatably mounted on a base ( 40 ) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies ( 46 ) each of which includes a support ( 48 ) and a dispensing head ( 50 ). An actuator ( 56 ) including a first cam mechanism ( 58 ) and a second cam mechanism ( 64 ) moves the support ( 48 ) of each dispensing head assembly ( 46 ) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold ( 30 ) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus and a method for providing in-moldlabeling of a plastic blow molding machine of the rotary wheel type.

2. Background Art

In-mold labeling has previously been performed with rotary wheel typeblow molding machines as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,770 Slat etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,207 Slat et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,000 Nowickiet al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,641 Keyser; U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,723 Slat etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,241 Keyser; U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,922 Plenzler etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,306 Gordon et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,149Collette et al.

Such in-mold labeling is performed by inserting a label within an openmold as the open mold is moved with other molds on a rotary wheel priorto the mold closing about an extruded plastic tube or about a hotplastic preform, whereupon blow molding of the extruded plastic tube orthe preform bonds the label within the mold to the plastic and providesa smooth transition between the label and the adjacent blow moldedsurface. In addition to strengthening the blow molded container thatresults from this process, the more conventional post blow molding labelapplication operation is eliminated.

In certain rotary blow molding machines, the production is very high,e.g., thousands of containers per hour and some as high as more thanfifty thousand containers per hour with injection stretch blow moldingmachines that blow mold preforms as opposed to the extruded parison typeof blow molding. Such high production rates make it difficult to place alabel within the mold prior to the blow molding since there is littletime to do so during the fraction of a second available to deposit thelabel within the mold.

Also, rapid in-mold labeling is made more difficult because labelmagazines in which the labels are stored normally are not capable ofdelivering the labels at a greater rate than about 60 to 70 labels perminute. Label stacks in which the labels are stored prior to beingremoved by vacuum pickup dispensing heads do not allow the labels tomove away from the stack at a greater rate because air cannot normallymove behind the labels fast enough to permit removal of more than 60 to70 or so labels per minute.

Other prior art label systems noted during an investigation conducted inconnection with the invention include U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,409 Calvertand U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,365 Geyser et al.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved in-moldlabeler for a plastic blow molding machine.

The plastic blow molding machine with which the in-mold labeler of theinvention is utilized has a rotary mold wheel that supports a pluralityof molds for rotary movement along a rotary path about a mold wheel axisand for concomitant pivotal movement of mold sections of the moldsbetween open and closed positions about associated mold axes that extendparallel with the mold wheel axis and with the mold sections opening inan outward direction from the mold wheel axis and symmetrically aboutassociated mold parting planes that extend from the mold wheel axisthrough the associated mold axes. The in-mold labeler includes adispensing assembly including a base and a dispensing wheel that isrotatably mounted on the base about a dispensing wheel axis that extendsparallel to the mold wheel axis. The dispensing wheel includes aplurality of dispensing head assemblies each of which includes a supportand a dispensing head mounted on the support for movement along adispensing head axis of the support between pick and place positions.Each dispensing head includes at least one label carrier for receiving alabel in the pick position thereof and for transferring the label in theplace position thereof to an adjacent mold of the blow molding machine.An actuator of the in-mold labeler moves the support of each dispensinghead assembly during a label depositing operation along the rotary pathof the adjacent open mold about the mold wheel axis and for angularlypositioning the support of the dispensing head assembly about a supportaxis such that the dispensing head axis moves in alignment with themoving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold as the dispensinghead is moved on the support during the label depositing operation fromthe pick position to the place position to deposit the label within theadjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of thein-mold labeling.

The actuator of the in-mold labeler includes a first cam mechanism thatmoves each dispensing head during the label depositing operation alongthe rotary path of the adjacent open mold. The actuator also includes asecond cam mechanism that angularly positions the support of thedispensing head assembly about the support axis such that the dispensinghead thereof moves in alignment with the moving mold parting plane ofthe adjacent open mold as the dispensing head is moved on the supportduring the label depositing operation from the pick position to theplace position to deposit the label within the adjacent open mold in amanner that permits the high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.

The dispensing wheel of the in-mold labeler includes a plurality oftracks that extend radially from the dispensing wheel axis and arerespectively associated with the dispensing head assemblies. Eachdispensing head assembly is mounted on the associated tracks formovement under the control of the first cam mechanism, and eachdispensing head assembly includes a pivotal mount that mounts thesupport thereof for pivotal movement about the associated support axisunder the control of the second cam mechanism.

A third cam mechanism of the in-mold labeler includes an operator formoving each dispensing head with its label carrier on the associatedsupport between the pick position and the place position where the labelcarrier is positioned within the adjacent open mold to transfer thelabel carried thereby to the mold.

The label carrier of each dispensing head is mounted on the dispensinghead for movement between a retracted position and a label transferposition. The third cam mechanism includes a cam member that is mountedon the base of the dispensing assembly and also includes an operatorthat is operable to move the cam member toward and away from the blowmolding machine. The cam member of the third cam mechanism includes adispensing cam surface and also includes a label carrier cam surface.Each dispensing head includes a dispensing head cam follower that isengaged by the dispensing head cam surface of the cam member of thethird cam mechanism to move the dispensing head on the associatedsupport between the pick and place positions. Each dispensing headincludes a label carrier cam follower that is engaged by the labelcarrier cam surface of the cam member of the third cam mechanism to movethe label carrier between its retracted and label transfer positionswith the dispensing head in its place position to transfer the label tothe adjacent open mold.

The in-mold labeler includes a lock mechanism for locking the dispensinghead from movement on the support of the dispensing head assembly andfor locking the label carrier in its retracted position. This lockmechanism includes a cam follower for releasing the lock mechanism andthe cam member of the third cam mechanism includes an unlocking camsurface for engaging the cam follower of the lock mechanism to releasethe lock mechanism and permit movement of the dispensing head on thesupport between the pick and place positions under the impetuous of theoperator and to also permit movement of the label carrier between theretracted and label transfer positions.

Each dispensing head of the in-mold labeler as disclosed includes a pairof label carriers mounted on the dispensing head for movement betweenretracted and label transfer positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodfor in-mold labeling a plastic blow molding machine having a rotary moldwheel that supports a plurality of molds for rotary movement along arotary path about a mold wheel axis and for concomitant pivotal movementof mold sections of the molds between open and closed positions aboutassociated mold axes that extend parallel with the mold wheel axis andwith the mold sections opening in an outward direction from the moldwheel axis and symmetrically about associated mold parting lines thatextend from the mold wheel axis through the associated mold axes.

In carrying out the above object, the in-mold labeling method isperformed by rotating a dispensing wheel of a dispensing assembly abouta dispensing wheel axis that extends parallel to the mold wheel axis,with the dispensing wheel including a plurality of dispensing headassemblies each of which includes a support and a dispensing headmounted on the support for movement along a dispensing head axis of thesupport between pick and place positions, and with each dispensing headincluding at least one label carrier for receiving a label in the pickposition thereof and for transferring the label in the place positionthereof to an adjacent open mold of the blow molding machine. Thein-mold labeling method also involves moving the support of eachdispensing head assembly during a label depositing operation along therotary path of the adjacent open mold about the mold wheel axis andangularly positioning the support of the dispensing head assembly suchthat the dispensing head axis moves in alignment with the moving moldparting plane of the adjacent open mold as the dispensing head is movedon the support during the label depositing operation from the pickposition to the place position to deposit the label within the adjacentopen mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-moldlabeling.

In performing the in-mold labeling method, a first cam mechanism moveseach dispensing head during the label deposition operation along therotary path of the adjacent open mold, and a second cam mechanismangularly positions the support of the dispensing head assembly suchthat the dispensing head thereof moves in alignment with the moving moldparting plane of the adjacent open mold as the label carrier is moved onthe support during the label depositing operation from the pick positionto the place position to deposit the label within the adjacent open moldin a manner that permits the high speed operation of the in-moldlabeling. In performing the in-mold labeling, the support of eachdispensing head is mounted on an associated one of a plurality of tracksthat extend radially from the dispensing wheel axis, each dispensinghead being controlled by the first cam mechanism, and a pivotal mount ofeach dispensing head assembly mounting the support of the associateddispensing head for pivotal movement about an associated vertical axisunder the control of the second cam mechanism.

The in-mold labeling method also utilizes a third cam mechanismincluding an operator that moves each dispensing head with its labelcarrier thereon between the pick position and the place position wherethe label carrier is positioned within the adjacent open mold totransfer the label carried thereby to the mold. Furthermore, the in-moldlabeling method also involves moving the label carrier of eachdispensing head between a retracted position and a label transferposition, with an operator moving a cam member of the third cammechanism on the dispensing assembly base toward and away from the blowmolding machine, with a dispensing head cam follower of each dispensinghead being engaged by a dispensing head cam surface of the cam member ofthe third cam mechanism to move the dispensing head between the pick andplace positions, and with a label carrier cam follower of eachdispensing head being engaged by a label carrier cam surface of the cammember of the third cam mechanism to move the label carrier between itsretracted and label transfer positions with the dispensing head in itsplace position to transfer the label to the adjacent open mold.

The in-mold labeling method also utilizes a lock mechanism that locksthe dispensing head from movement on the support of the dispensing headassembly and locks the label carrier in its retracted position. Anunlocking cam follower is actuated to release the lock mechanism inperforming the method and an unlocking cam surface engages the unlockingcam follower of the lock mechanism to provide the actuation thereof thatreleases the lock mechanism and permits movement of the dispensing headon the support between the pick and place positions under the impetuousof the operator as well as permitting the movement of the label carrierbetween the retracted and label transfer positions.

In performing the in-mold labeling, a pair of label carriers can besupported for movement on each dispensing head between the retracted andlabel transfer positions so as to provide a pair of labels to theadjacent open mold during the in-mold labeling operation.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention arereadily apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a plastic blow molding system that embodiesthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view taken along the direction of line2—2 in FIG. 1 to illustrate an in-mold labeler of the system.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view that illustrates the manner in which asupport of a label dispensing head assembly is moved along the rotarypath of a mold wheel during a label depositing operation with two labelhead assemblies illustrated shown at the beginning and end of the rotarymovement of the label depositing operation.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing one of the label headdispensing assemblies with its dispensing head moved inwardly to anadjacent open mold to provide the label depositing operation to transferlabels to the open mold.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view taken along the direction of line5—5 in FIG. 2 to illustrate the construction of the label dispensinghead and label carriers thereof that are moved from retracted solid lineindicated positions to phantom line indicated label transfer positionsto provide the label depositing operation.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the direction of line 6—6 in FIG.5 to illustrate the construction of the dispensing head and camfollowers thereof that control its operation.

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally in the same direction as FIG. 6 tofurther illustrate the construction of a lock mechanism that locks thedispensing head against movement along a support of the dispensing headassembly.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view taken in the direction of line 8—8 in FIG.7 to further illustrate the construction of the lock mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic perspective view illustrating a portionof a dispensing wheel of the in-mold labeler of the blow molding systemand shows the dispensing head assembly and its support and labeldispensing head.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view that illustrates label transfer apparatusof the blow molding system for use in transferring labels from a labelmagazine to the plastic blow molding machine of the system for in-moldlabeling prior to blow molding.

FIG. 11 is a partial view illustrating the manner in which a dispensinghead of the label transfer apparatus is actuated to execute a rollingmotion upon initially removing a label from the adjacent label magazine.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are partial views that illustrate the label transferapparatus at progressively later stages of the label removal operation.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view illustrating another construction of thedispensing head of the label transfer apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a view taken along the direction of line 15—15 in FIG. 14 tofurther illustrate the construction of the dispensing head of the labeltransfer apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a plastic blow molded system generallyindicated by 20 embodies the present invention and includes a rotaryplastic blow molding machine 22 and an in-mold labeler 24 for providinglabels to the blow molding machine prior to blow molding as ishereinafter more fully described. The apparatus of the blow moldingsystem 20 and its method of operation will be described in an integratedmanner to facilitate an understanding of all aspects of the invention.

Blow molding machine 22 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a rotary moldwheel 26 that is rotatable about a mold wheel axis A in acounterclockwise direction as illustrated by arrow 28. A plurality ofmolds 30 (ten as shown) are supported on the mold wheel 26 forcounterclockwise rotary movement about the mold wheel axis A and moldsections 32 of the molds are movable about associated mold axes Bbetween closed positions as shown at the lower portion of FIG. 1 andopen positions as shown at the upper portion adjacent the in-moldlabeler 24. During such opening and closing movements, the mold sections32 are positioned symmetrically about mold parting planes C that extendfrom the mold wheel axis A through the associated mold axes B.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the blow molding system 20 includesa supply station 34 where heated plastic preforms are cyclicallysupplied to the adjacent open molds 30 which then close for the blowmolding operation as the mold wheel 26 continues its counterclockwiserotation. After the mold closing and the blow molding, the blow moldedcontainer cools and the mold wheel continues to rotate counterclockwiseto a delivery station 36 where the molds open to permit removal of theblow molded container. As the mold wheel continues to rotatecounterclockwise, each open mold leaving the delivery station 36 issupplied one or more labels by the in-mold labeler 24 as is hereinaftermore fully described prior to moving to the supply station 34 where thenext heated plastic preform is supplied to the open mold prior to itsclosing as the cycles continue. Both the supply station 34 and thedelivery station 36 operate in a conventional rotary manner with supplyand delivery wheels rotating clockwise as shown by arrows 3 to supplythe preforms and receive the blow molded containers which can be at veryhigh production rate of thousands and even ten thousands of containersper hour. As is hereinafter more fully described, the in-mold labeler 24is constructed and operates to provide high speed supply of the labelsto the molds even at these relatively high production rates where theymay be only a second or a fraction of a second to perform the in-moldlabeling operation.

With combined reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the in-mold labeler 2 includesa dispensing assembly 38 having a base 40 and a dispensing wheel 42 thatrotates clockwise as shown by arrow 44 in FIG. 1 about a dispensingwheel axis D that extends parallel to the mold wheel axis A. Thedispensing wheel 42 include a plurality of dispensing head assemblies46, as shown in FIG. 1, each of which as shown in FIG. 2 includes asupport 48 and a dispensing head 52 mounted on the support for movementalong a dispensing head axis E of the support between pick positionshown in FIG. 2 and a place position shown at the six o'clock locationof the dispensing wheel 42 in FIG. 1. Each dispensing head 46 aillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 includes at least one label carrier 52 forcarrying a associated label 54 to be deposited within an associated moldsection 32 of the adjacent open mold 30 to perform the in-mold labelingoperation. As illustrated each dispensing head 50 includes a pair of thelabel carriers 52 so that a pair of labels 54 can be provided to theadjacent open mold such that labels will be provided to opposite sidesof the blow molded container. In accordance with conventional in-moldlabeling operation, each label carrier 52 is supplied a vacuum forsecuring the label 54 until being transferred to the mold 30 whereuponthe label carrier vacuum is terminated and a vacuum drawn at the moldsecures the label in position in preparation for the blow moldingoperation.

With reference to FIG. 2, the in-mold labeler 24 includes a actuator 56for moving the support 48 of each dispensing head assembly 38 during thelabel depositing operation along the rotary path 30 _(p) (FIG. 1) of theadjaced open mold about the mold wheel axis A. The actuator 56 shown inFIG. 2 also angularly positions the support 48 of the dispensing headassembly about a support axis F during the label depositing operationillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 such that the dispensing head axis E (FIG.2) moves in alignment with the moving mold parting plane C of theadjacent open mold as the dispensing head 50 is moved between the pickposition shown in FIG. 3 and the place position within the open mold asshown in FIG. 4 where the label depositing takes place in the adjacentopen mold. The movement of the dispensing head support 48 and hence thedispensing head 50 thereon along the rotary path of the adjacent openmold and the angular alignment of the support and the dispensing headalong the mold parting plane provide a greater time for the labeldepositing to take place and also provide the proper angular alignmentso the labels can be deposited at the proper orientation during thein-mold labeling.

With reference back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator 56 that controls themovement of the dispensing head assembly supports 48 includes a firstcam mechanism 58 that moves each dispensing head during the labeldepositing operation along the rotary path of the adjacent open mold.This first cam mechanism 58 includes a cam follower 60 (FIG. 2) of eachdispensing head assembly 46 and a continuous cam 62 that is on the base40 and extends as shown in FIG. 1 about the dispensing wheel axis D. Asshown in FIG. 2, the cam 62 receives the cam follower 60 so as toprovide the movement of the associated support 48 along the rotary pathof the adjacent open mold of the mold wheel. The actuator 56 alsoincludes a second cam mechanism 64 that angularly positions the support48 of the dispensing head assembly 38 about the support axis F such thatthe dispensing head axis E of the support moves in alignment with themold parting plane of the adjacent open mold as the label carriers 52are moved on the support by the dispensing head during the labeldepositing operation from the pick position to the place position todeposit the label within the adjacent open mold. As previouslymentioned, the movement of the support 48 along the rotary path of theadjacent open mold and the angular positioning of the support so thatthe dispensing head axis E moves in alignment with the mold partingplane provide increased time for the label deposition operation and alsoprovide proper alignment thereof as the labels are deposited. The secondcam mechanism includes a second cam follower 66 shown in FIGS. 2 and 9and a continuous cam 68 that extends around the dispensing wheel axis Das shown in FIG. 1. Both the continuous cam 62 of the first cammechanism 58 and the continuous cam 68 of the second cam mechanism 64are illustrated in FIG. 2 as being defined within a single cam member 70mounted on the base 40 of the dispensing assembly 38; however, it shouldbe appreciated that these continuous cams could be provided on separatecam members mounted on the base instead of a single cam member. Thecomplete operation of the angular positioning of the support 48 by thesecond cam member 64 is hereinafter more fully described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dispensing wheel 42 of the in-mold labeler24 includes a plurality of tracks 72, five as illustrated, that extendradially from the dispensing wheel axis D and are respectivelyassociated with the dispensing head assemblies 46. Each dispensing headassembly 46 as shown in FIG. 2 has lower and upper slide mounts 74 and76 that support the dispensing head assembly for movement along theassociated dispensing wheel track 72 in a radial direction with respectto the dispensing wheel axis D. The first cam mechanism 58 including itscam follower 60 and base mounted cam 62 provide movement of thedispensing head assembly 46 along the dispensing wheel track 72 radiallywith respect to the dispensing wheel axis D in order to position thedispensing head assembly such that its support axis F moves along therotary path of the adjacent open mold about the mold wheel axis A as thelabel depositing takes place. A pivotal mount 78 pivotally mounts thesupport 48 of each dispensing head assembly 46 on the lower and upperslide mounts 74 and 76 for angular movement about the support axis F.The pivotal mount 78 includes a vertical shaft 80 whose upper end ispivotally fixed to the support 48 and whose lower end is fixed to a gear82 that as shown in FIG. 9 is meshed with a second gear 84 which isrotatively mounted on a connection member 86 that is secured to thelower track member 74 as shown in FIG. 2. The connection member 86 alsomounts the first cam follower 60 of the first cam mechanism 58. An arm87 fixed on gear 84 mounts the second cam follower 66. The positioningof the second cam follower 66 within the second cam 68 thus controls therotary position of the gear 84 whose meshing with the gear 82 on thevertical shaft 80 controls the angular positioning of the dispensinghead support 48 about support axis F so as to thereby control thelocation of its dispensing head axis E along which the dispensing head50 moves between the pick and place positions previously described.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the in-mold labeler 24 includes a third cammechanism 88 having an operator 90 such as an electric servomotor or anair cylinder, etc. for moving each dispensing head 50 with its labelcarriers 52 thereon on the associated support 48 between the pickposition and the place position as shown in FIG. 5 where the labelcarriers are positioned within the adjacent open mold 30 to transfer thelabels 54 carried thereby to the mold. More specifically, the operator90 is mounted by a suitable connector 92 to an upper portion 94 of thedispensing wheel base. The operator 90 has a movable piston connectingrod 96 that is suitably connected to an upper cam portion 98 of a cammember 100 that also includes a lower cam portion 102. A slideway 104supports the cam member 100 and its upper and lower cam portions 98 and102 for movement along a direction aligned with the mold wheel anddispensing wheel axes A and B (FIG. 1). More specifically, the slideway104 includes mounts 106 on the upper base portion and a slidable rod 108received by these mounts supports hangers 110 (only one shown) thatsupport a connection member 112 on which the cam member 100 is supportedat its upper cam portion 98.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each dispensing head 50 includes a dispensinghead cam follower 114 and the lower portion 102 of the cam member 100includes a dispensing head cam surface 116. As each dispensing head 50is moved clockwise on the dispensing wheel toward the fixed base mountedcam 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the dispensing head cam follower 114shown in FIG. 2 moves into engagement with the dispensing cam surface116 which extends along the entire length of the cam. The dispensinghead 50 is mounted on the dispensing head support 48 by a slideway 118for movement along the dispensing head axis E. The engagement of thedispensing head cam follower 114 with the dispensing head cam surface116 of the lower portion 102 of cam member 100 provides control of themovement of the dispensing head 50 under impetus of the operator 90.More specifically, the operator 90 moves the dispensing head from thepick position to its place position which is illustrated in FIG. 1 atthe six o'clock location where the in-mold labeling operation isperformed. The operator 90 illustrated in FIG. 2 then moves the cammember 100 back to again position the dispensing head 50 in the pickposition. After continued clockwise movement, the dispensing head 50then has its dispensing head cam follower 114 disengaged with thedispensing head cam surface 116 of the cam member 100.

With combined reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, each of the label carriers 52is mounted on the dispensing head 50 by an associated track 120 formovement between the solid line indicated retracted position and thephantom line indicated extended position where the label 54 carriedthereby is transferred to the adjacent mold 30 at one of its moldsections 32 as previously described. Each dispensing head 50 includes alabel carrier cam follower 122 mounted on one end of a connection member124 whose other end supports a link cam 126 that is received by a slot128 in an actuator link 130 that is pivotally supported on thedispensing head 50 by a pivotal connection 132 and which is pivotallyfixed to an actuating link 134 that has a slot 135 that receives anactuating cam 136 mounted on the adjacent label carrier 52.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper portion 98 of the cam member 100includes a label carrier cam surface 138 that receives the label carriercam follower 122 as the dispensing head is moved on the dispensing wheelclockwise as illustrated in FIG. 1 toward the cam member 100. This labelcarrier cam surface 138 adjacent the six o'clock position of FIG. 1 iscontoured to move the label carrier cam follower 122 shown in FIG. 2 ina radial outward direction with respect to the dispensing wheel andthrough the connection member 124 illustrated in FIG. 5 and theactuating links 130 and 134 and the actuating cams 126 and 136 moves thelabel carriers 52 between the retracted and label transfer positionspreviously described to perform the in-mold labeling operation. Afterthe mold 30 receives the labels 54 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the labelcarrier cam follower 122 is cammed back to thereby move the labelcarriers 52 back to the retracted positions as the operator 90 shown inFIG. 2 concomitantly moves the dispensing head 50 back from the placeposition shown in FIG. 1 to the pick position where the labels aresupplied to the label carriers as is hereinafter more fully described.

With reference to FIG. 1, as each dispensing head assembly 46 movesclockwise from the cam member 100 at the lower six o'clock position, alock mechanism 140 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 locks the dispensing head 50from movement on the support 48 and also locks the connection members124 from movement so as to thereby prevent movement of the labelcarriers under the operation of the actuating cams and actuating linksas previously described. More specifically, the lock mechanism 140includes an unlocking cam follower 142 that is mounted on a member 144which, as shown in FIG. 8, supports a pair of rods 146 that extenddownwardly through the dispensing head 50 and have lower ends connectedby springs 148 to a pair of first lock members 150. When the unlockingcam follower 142 is disengaged from the cam 100 shown in FIG. 1, thepair of first lock members 150 shown in FIG. 8 extend downwardly and arereceived by holes in the support 48 of the dispensing head assembly soas to prevent the movement of the dispensing head 50 along the supportbetween the pick and place positions as previously described.

The lock mechanism 140 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 also includes a singlesecond lock member 152 that extends downwardly from the member 144 andis received within a hole in the lower connection member 124 as shown inFIG. 6. Since both lower and upper connection members 124 are secured toeach other by bolts 154 threaded into a connection member extension 156on which the actuating cams 126 are mounted, the positioning of thesecond lock member 152 within the hole of the lower connection member124 secures both of these connection members and thereby prevents thecam and actuating link movement that moves the label carriers. As such,the label carriers 52 are then secured in their retracted position whichis illustrated by solid line representation in FIG. 5.

With reference to FIG. 2, the lower portion 102 of the cam member 100includes an unlocking cam surface 158 which is engaged by the unlockingcam follower 142 to provide unlocking actuation of the lock mechanism140 when the dispensing head 50 moves clockwise toward the cam 100 atits six o'clock position shown in FIG. 1. This engagement of theunlocking cam follower 142 with the unlocking cam surface 158 of cam 100moves the member 144 shown in FIGS. 6-7 upwardly so as to move the pairof first lock members 150 out of engagement with the support 48 and toalso move the single second lock member 152 out of engagement with thelower connection member 124. At the same time that this unlocking takesplace, the dispensing head cam follower 114 and the label carrier camfollower 122 shown in FIG. 2 move into engagement with the dispensinghead cam surface 116 and the label carrier cam surface 138,respectively, so as to control the positioning of the dispensing head 50and the movement of the label carriers 52 in the manner previouslydescribed.

With reference to FIG. 1, schematically illustrated a pair of labeltransfer mechanisms 160 are positioned adjacent the in-mold labeler 24and each is located adjacent an associated label magazine 162 that holdsa stack 164 of labels 54. As is hereinafter more fully described, thelabels 54 are transferred by the transfer mechanism 160 from the labelmagazine 162 and move to a generally diametrically opposite location ofthe transfer mechanism where the labels are then transferred to one ofthe label carriers of an adjacent dispensing head as it rotates on thedispensing wheel 42 past the label transfer mechanism. During suchmovement, the first and second cam mechanisms 58 and 62 position theadjacent dispensing head 50 so that the label carrier is properlypositioned for receiving the label from the label transfer mechanism160. More specifically, the cam mechanisms initially position thedispensing head so that one of the label carriers receives a label fromthe left label transfer mechanism 160 illustrated. After continuedclockwise rotation the dispensing head is moved angularly so its otherlabel carrier receives the label from the right label transfer mechanism160. After receiving the pair of labels, the dispensing head 50 thencontinues to rotate clockwise on the dispensing wheel 42 for the in-moldlabel depositing operation as previously described with respect to theblow molding machine 22.

With reference to FIG. 10, each of the label transfer mechanisms 160 isconstructed as illustrated and includes at least one transfer head 168.Actually as illustrated, there are three of the transfer heads 168 so asto have the capability of a greater speed of label transfer.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the label transfer mechanism 160 moveseach transfer head 168 as shown by arrow 170 adjacent the associatedlabel magazine 162 adjacent an exposed end 172 of the label stack 164.The transfer head as shown in FIG. 10 includes at least one vacuumopening 174 and preferably as illustrated includes a pair of the vacuumopenings 174. The label transfer mechanism 160 that supports thetransfer heads 168 includes an actuator collectively indicated by 176for moving the transfer head with a rolling motion as shown by arrow 178in FIGS. 11-13. This rolling motion is in the opposite direction as thegeneral movement of the transfer head as illustrated by arrow 170 andcauses the transfer head to initially pull an extremity 180 of theexposed label 54 away from the label stack 164 and thereby permits airto move behind that label. Thereafter as illustrated in FIG. 12, thetransfer head 168 continues its rolling movement and subsequently pullsan intermediate portion 182 of the label away from the label stack andpermits more air to move behind the label. The continued rollingmovement of the transfer head 168 as shown in FIG. 13 finally pulls anopposite extremity 184 of the label 54 away from the label stack 164.This rolling motion of the transfer head 168 and the manner in which thelabel is pulled from the stack first at one extremity, then at theintermediate portion, and finally at the opposite extremity permits airto rapidly move behind the label and thereby permits high speed labeltransferring from the label magazine 162.

With reference to FIG. 10, the label transfer mechanism 160 includes arotary table 186 that supports each of the label transfer heads 168 forrotary movement with the table about a central axis G in order tosupport the transfer heads for rotary movement with the table along thedirection of arrow 170 illustrated in FIGS. 12-13. Furthermore, eachtransfer head 168 rotates with respect to the table about an associatedrotary axis H. Thus, the rotation of the table 186 moves the transferheads 168 laterally past the label stack 164 and the transfer headsrotate with respect to the table as the labels are pulled from the labelmagazine 162.

The label transfer mechanism 160 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes asuitable rotary motor 188 that rotates the rotary table 186 and alsoincludes a rotary motor 190 that rotates a rotary actuator member 192about the table axis G but independently of the rotary table 186.Furthermore, the actuator 176 includes an endless belt 194 that extendsfrom the rotary actuator member 192 to the label transfer heads 168 toprovide rotation thereof with respect to the rotary table as previouslydescribed in connection with FIGS. 12-13. Furthermore, the labeltransfer mechanism 160 also includes at least one tension wheel 196mounted for rotation on the rotary table 186 with the belt 194 extendingthereover to provide proper tensioning of the belt. More specifically,there are actually a pair of the tension wheels 196 mounted for rotationon the rotary table 186 adjacent the rotary actuator member 192 with thebelt 194 extending over the tension wheels to provide tensioning of thebelt.

Although the label transfer heads 168 can theoretically function withonly a single vacuum opening to pull the labels from the label stack 164in the manner described above first at an extremity, then at theintermediate portion and finally at the opposite extremity, it ispreferable to have a pair of the vacuum openings 174 as described toprovide greater control of the label removal operation by the rollingmotion involved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, each label transfer head 168′ canalso have vacuum openings 174 spaced axially along the direction of therotary axis H about which rotation takes place with respect to the tablein order to provide greater securement of the labels along thatdimension. Suitable vacuum inlets 198 are communicated with the vacuumopenings 174 through the label transfer head 168′ to provide the labelprocurement during the transfer of the labels from the associated labeltransfer head to the dispensing head of the in-mold labeler previouslydescribed.

It should be appreciated that the in-mold labeler 24 is most operable toprovide its high speed in-mold labeling operation when utilized with thetype of transfer mechanisms 160 illustrated for supplying the initialtransfer of the labels from the label magazines to the dispensing headsfor the eventual transfer to the molds. However, it is also possible forthe in-mold labeler 24 to have its label carriers receive the labelsdirectly from label magazines even though the use of the intermediatetransfer mechanisms is preferred as mentioned. Likewise, while thetransfer mechanisms 160 are disclosed as transferring the labels fromthe label magazines to the dispensing heads for the subsequent in-moldlabel operation, other adaptations could also be provided where thelabels are transferred by the transfer mechanisms from the labelmagazines directly to the molds.

Thus, while the preferred embodiment and operation thereof have beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this inventionrelates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for in-mold labeling a plastic blowmolding machine having a rotary mold wheel that supports a plurality ofmolds for rotary movement along a rotary path about a mold wheel axisand for concomitant pivotal movement of mold sections of the moldsbetween open and closed positions about associated mold axes that extendparallel with the mold wheel axis and with the mold sections opening inan outward direction from the mold wheel axis and symmetrically aboutassociated mold parting planes that extend from the mold wheel axisthrough the associated mold axes, the in-mold labeling methodcomprising: rotating a dispensing wheel of a dispensing assembly about adispensing wheel axis that extends parallel to the mold wheel axis, withthe dispensing wheel including a plurality of dispensing head assemblieseach of which includes a support and a dispensing head mounted on thesupport for movement along a dispensing head axis of the support betweenpick and place positions, and with each dispensing head including atleast one label carrier for receiving a label in the pick positionthereof and for transferring the label in the place position thereof toan adjacent open mold of the blow molding machine; and moving thesupport of each dispensing head assembly during a label depositingoperation along the rotary path of the adjacent open mold about the moldwheel axis and angularly positioning the support of the dispensing headassembly about a support axis such that the dispensing head axis movesin alignment with the moving mold parting plane of the adjacent openmold as the dispensing head is moved on the support during the labeldepositing operation from the pick position to the place position todeposit the label within the adjacent open mold in a manner that permitshigh speed operation of the in-mold labeling.
 2. A method for in-moldlabeling as in claim 1 wherein a first cam mechanism moves eachdispensing head during the label depositing operation along the rotarypath of the adjacent open mold, and wherein a second cam mechanismangularly positions the support of the dispensing head assembly aboutthe support axis such that the dispensing head axis thereof moves inalignment with the moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open moldas the label carrier is moved on the support during the label depositingoperation from the pick position to the place position to deposit thelabel within the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits the highspeed operation of the in-mold labeling.
 3. A method for in-moldlabeling as in claim 2 wherein the support of each dispensing headassembly is mounted on an associated one of a plurality of tracks thatextend radially from the dispensing wheel axis, each dispensing headbeing controlled by the first cam mechanism, and a pivotal mount of eachdispensing head assembly mounting the support of the associateddispensing head for pivotal movement about an associated vertical axisunder the control of the second cam mechanism.
 4. A method for in-moldlabeling as in claim 3 wherein a third cam mechanism including anoperator moves each dispensing head with its label carrier thereonbetween the pick position and the place position where the label carrieris positioned within the adjacent open mold to transfer the labelcarried thereby to the mold.
 5. A method for in-mold labeling as inclaim 4 wherein the label carrier of each dispensing head moves on thedispensing head between a retracted position and a label transferposition, an operator moves a cam member of the third cam mechanism onthe dispensing assembly base toward and away from the blow moldingmachine, a dispensing head cam follower of each dispensing head isengaged by a dispensing head cam surface of the cam member of the thirdcam mechanism to move the dispensing head between the pick and placepositions, and a label carrier cam follower of each dispensing head isengaged by a label carrier cam surface of the cam member of the thirdcam mechanism to move the label carrier between its retracted and labeltransfer positions with the dispensing head in its place position totransfer the label to the adjacent open mold.
 6. A method for in-moldlabeling as in claim 5 wherein a lock mechanism locks the dispensinghead from movement on the support of the dispensing head assembly andlocks the label carrier in its retracted position, an unlocking camfollower is actuated to release the lock mechanism, and an unlocking camsurface engages the unlocking cam follower of the lock mechanism toprovide the actuation thereof that releases the lock mechanism andpermit movement of the dispensing head on the support between the pickand place positions under the impetus of the operator as well aspermitting the movement of the label carrier between the retracted andlabel transfer positions.
 7. A method for in-mold labeling as in claim 6wherein a pair of label carriers are supported for movement on eachdispensing head between the retracted and label transfer positions.
 8. Amethod for in-mold labeling a plastic blow molding machine having arotary mold wheel that supports a plurality of molds for rotary movementalong a rotary path about a mold wheel axis and for concomitant pivotalmovement of mold sections of the molds between open and closed positionsabout associated mold axes that extend parallel with the mold wheel axisand with the mold sections opening in an outward direction from the moldwheel axis and symmetrically about associated mold parting planes thatextend from the mold wheel axis through the associated mold axes, thein-mold labeling method comprising: rotating a dispensing wheel of adispensing assembly about a dispensing wheel axis that extends parallelto the mold wheel axis, with the dispensing wheel including a pluralityof dispensing head assemblies each of which includes a support and adispensing head mounted on the support for movement along a dispensinghead axis of the support between pick and place positions, and with eachdispensing head including a pair of label carriers for receivingassociated labels in the pick position thereof and for transferring thelabels in the place position thereof to an adjacent open mold of theblow molding machine; and moving the support of each dispensing headassembly by a first cam mechanism during a label depositing operationalong the rotary path of the adjacent open mold about the mold wheelaxis and angularly positioning the support of the dispensing headassembly by a second cam mechanism such that the dispensing head axismoves in alignment with the moving mold parting plane of the adjacentopen mold as the dispensing head is moved on the support during thelabel depositing operation from the pick position to the place positionto deposit the labels within the adjacent open mold in a manner thatpermits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.
 9. A method forin-mold labeling a plastic blow molding machine having a rotary moldwheel that supports a plurality of molds for rotary movement along arotary path about a mold wheel axis and for concomitant pivotal movementof mold sections of the molds between open and closed positions aboutassociated mold axes that extend parallel with the mold wheel axis andwith the mold sections opening in an outward direction from the moldwheel axis and symmetrically about associated mold parting planes thatextend from the mold wheel axis through the associated mold axes, thein-mold labeling method comprising: rotating a dispensing wheel of adispensing assembly about a dispensing wheel axis that extends parallelto the mold wheel axis, with the dispensing wheel including a pluralityof dispensing head assemblies each of which includes a support and adispensing head mounted on the support for movement along a dispensinghead axis of the support between pick and place positions, and with eachdispensing head including a pair of label carriers for receivingassociated labels in the pick position thereof and for transferring thelabels in the place position thereof to an adjacent open mold of theblow molding machine; moving the support of each dispensing headassembly by a first cam mechanism during a label depositing operationalong the rotary path of the adjacent open mold about the mold wheelaxis and angularly positioning the support of the dispensing headassembly by a second cam mechanism such that the dispensing head axismoves in alignment with the moving mold parting plane of the adjacentopen mold; and camming the dispensing head on the support by a third cammechanism during the label depositing operation between the pickposition and the place position and camming the label carriers betweenretracted and label transfer positions to deposit the label within theadjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of thein-mold labeling.
 10. An in-mold labeler for a plastic blow moldingmachine having a rotary mold wheel that supports a plurality of moldsfor rotary movement along a rotary path about a mold wheel axis and forconcomitant pivotal movement of mold sections of the molds between openand closed positions about associated mold axes that extend parallelwith the mold wheel axis and with the mold sections opening in anoutward direction from the mold wheel axis and symmetrically aboutassociated mold parting planes that extend from the mold wheel axisthrough the associated mold axes, the in-mold labeler comprising: adispensing assembly including a base and a dispensing wheel that isrotatably mounted on the base about a dispensing wheel axis that extendsparallel to the mold wheel axis, the dispensing wheel including aplurality of dispensing head assemblies each of which includes a supportand a dispensing head mounted on the support for movement along adispensing head axis of the support between pick and place positions,and each dispensing head including at least one label carrier forreceiving a label in the pick position thereof and for transferring thelabel in the place position thereof to an adjacent open mold of the blowmolding machine; and an actuator for moving the support of eachdispensing head assembly during a label depositing operation along therotary path of the adjacent open mold about the mold wheel axis and forangularly positioning the support of the dispensing head assembly abouta support axis such that the dispensing head axis moves in alignmentwith the moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold as thedispensing head is moved on the support during the label depositingoperation from the pick position to the place position to deposit thelabel within the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speedoperation of the in-mold labeling.
 11. A plastic blow molding machinein-mold labeler as in claim 10 wherein the actuator includes a first cammechanism that moves each dispensing head during the label depositingoperation along the rotary path of the adjacent open mold, and theactuator also including a second cam mechanism that angularly positionsthe support of the dispensing head assembly about the support axis suchthat the dispensing head axis thereof moves in alignment with the movingmold parting plane of the adjacent open mold as the dispensing head ismoved on the support during the label depositing operation from the pickposition to the place position to deposit the label within the adjacentopen mold in a manner that permits the high speed operation of thein-mold labeling.
 12. A plastic blow molding machine in-mold labeler asin claim 11 wherein the dispensing wheel includes a plurality of tracksthat extend radially from the dispensing wheel axis and are respectivelyassociated with the dispensing head assemblies, each dispensing headassembly being mounted on the associated track for movement undercontrol of the first cam mechanism, and each dispensing head assemblyincluding a pivotal mount that mounts the support thereof for pivotalmovement about an associated vertical axis under the control of thesecond cam mechanism.
 13. A plastic blow molding machine in-mold labeleras in claim 12 further including a third cam mechanism including anoperator for moving each dispensing head with its label carrier on theassociated support between the pick position and the place positionwhere the label carrier is positioned within the adjacent open mold totransfer the label carried thereby to the mold.
 14. A plastic blowmolding machine in-mold labeler as in claim 13 wherein the label carrierof each dispensing head is mounted on the dispensing head for movementbetween a retracted position and a label transfer position, the thirdcam mechanism including a cam member that is mounted on the base of thedispensing assembly and also including an operator that is operable tomove the cam member toward and away from the blow molding machine, thecam member of the third cam mechanism including a dispensing head camsurface and also including a label carrier cam surface, each dispensinghead including a dispensing head cam follower that is engaged by thedispensing head cam surface of the cam member of the third cam mechanismto move the dispensing head on the associated support between the pickand place positions, and each dispensing head including a label carriercam follower that is engaged by the label carrier cam surface of the cammember of the third cam mechanism to move the label carrier between itsretracted and label transfer positions with the dispensing head in itsplace position to transfer the label to the adjacent open mold.
 15. Aplastic blow molding machine in-mold labeler as in claim 14 furtherincluding a lock mechanism for locking the dispensing head from movementon the support of the dispensing head assembly and for locking the labelcarrier in its retracted position, the lock mechanism including anunlocking cam follower for releasing the lock mechanism, and the cammember of the third cam mechanism including an unlocking cam surface forengaging the unlocking cam follower of the lock mechanism to release thelock mechanism and permit movement of the dispensing head on the supportbetween the pick and place positions under the impetus of the operatorand to also permit movement of the label carrier between the retractedand label transfer positions.
 16. A plastic blow molding machine in-moldlabeler as in claim 15 wherein each dispensing head includes a pair oflabel carriers mounted on the dispensing head for movement betweenretracted and label transfer positions.
 17. An in-mold labeler for aplastic blow molding machine having a rotary mold wheel that supports aplurality of molds for rotary movement along a rotary path about a moldwheel axis and for concomitant pivotal movement of mold sections of themolds between open and closed positions about associated mold axes thatextend parallel with the mold wheel axis and with the mold sectionsopening in an outward direction from the mold wheel axis andsymmetrically about associated mold parting planes that extend from themold wheel axis through the associated mold axes, the in-mold labelercomprising: a dispensing assembly including a base and a dispensingwheel that is rotatably mounted on the base about a dispensing wheelaxis that extends parallel to the mold wheel axis, the dispensing wheelincluding a plurality of dispensing head assemblies each of whichincludes a support and a dispensing head mounted on the support formovement along a dispensing head axis of the support between pick andplace positions, and each dispensing head including a pair of labelcarriers for receiving labels in the pick position thereof and fortransferring the labels in the place position thereof to an adjacentopen mold of the blow molding machine; and an actuator including a firstcam mechanism that moves the support of each dispensing head assemblyduring a label depositing operation along the rotary path of theadjacent open mold about the mold wheel axis, and the actuator includinga second cam mechanism for angularly positioning the support of thedispensing head assembly about a support axis such that the dispensinghead axis moves in alignment with the moving mold parting plane of theadjacent open mold as the dispensing head is moved on the support duringthe label depositing operation from the pick position to the placeposition to deposit the labels within the adjacent open mold in a mannerthat permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.
 18. Anin-mold labeler for a plastic blow molding machine having a rotary moldwheel that supports a plurality of molds for rotary movement along arotary path about a mold wheel axis and for concomitant pivotal movementof mold sections of the molds between open and closed positions aboutassociated mold axes that extend parallel with the mold wheel axis andwith the mold sections opening in an outward direction from the moldwheel axis and symmetrically about associated mold parting planes thatextend from the mold wheel axis through the associated mold axes, thein-mold labeler comprising: a dispensing assembly including a base and adispensing wheel that is rotatably mounted on the base about adispensing wheel axis that extends parallel to the mold wheel axis, thedispensing wheel including a plurality of tracks that extend radiallyfrom the dispensing wheel axis, the dispensing wheel also including aplurality of dispensing head assemblies each of which has a support, thesupports of the dispensing head assemblies being respectively mounted bythe the tracks for radially movement with respect to the dispensingwheel axis, each dispensing head assembly including a dispensing headmounted on its support for movement along a dispensing head axis of thesupport between pick and place positions, each dispensing head includinga pair of label carriers for receiving labels in the pick positionthereof and for transferring the labels in the place position thereof toan adjacent open mold of the blow molding machine, and each dispensinghead assembly including a pivotal mount that mounts its support forangular movement about a support axis with respect to the dispensingwheel; an actuator including a first cam mechanism that moves thesupport of each dispensing head assembly during a label depositingoperation along the rotary path of the adjacent open mold about the moldwheel axis, and the actuator including a second cam mechanism forangularly positioning the support of the dispensing head assembly aboutthe support axis of its pivotal mount such that the dispensing head axismoves in alignment with the moving mold parting plane of the adjacentopen mold as the dispensing head is moved on the support during thelabel depositing operation from the pick position to the place positionto deposit the labels within the adjacent open mold in a manner thatpermits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling; and a third cammechanism including an operator for moving each dispensing head with itslabel carriers thereon between the pick position and the place positionwhere the label carrier are positioned within the adjacent open mold totransfer the labels carried thereby to the mold.